NASA - The National Aeronautics and Space Administration

04/16/2019 | News release | Distributed by Public on 04/16/2019 07:49

U.S. Resupply Ship Poised for Launch as Crew Studies Life Science

The U.S. Cygnus resupply ship from Northrop Grumman is encapsulated atop the Antares rocket and standing at its launch pad in Virginia. The Expedition 59 crew is training for its capture at the end of the week in the midst of ongoing life science aboard the International Space Station.

The duo continued sharpening their robotics skills today as they practiced Friday's Cygnus capture maneuvers and techniques on a computer. NASA TV will broadcast the space freighter's launch and capture activities live.

McClain started the day setting up a mouse habitat that will house rodents to gain insight into the immune system's response to long-term spaceflight. Saint-Jacques set up the 360° camera in Tranquility module for more virtual reality filming of crew life on the station.

Flight Engineer Christina Koch started Tuesday collecting and spinning her blood samples in a centrifuge for the Myotones muscle study. She then joined NASA astronaut Nick Hague for body measurements and ultrasound scans to research how microgravity impacts the biochemical properties of muscles.